Wings acquire goalie; part with long-time standout Westervelt

The Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League (NLL), today acquired Minnesota Swarm goaltender Evan Kirk and transition player Ryan Hotaling from the Colorado Mammoth as part of a three team trade that will send forward Drew Westervelt to the Colorado Mammoth and future draft picks to both Colorado and Minnesota.

Kirk comes to Philadelphia after two seasons in Minnesota where he earned a 77% save rating along with a 12.08 goals against average. In his two year stint with the Swarm, Kirk owned a 7-7 record and tallied 548 saves. The Orangeville, Ontario native will add depth between the pipes along with veteran goalie, Brandon Miller. The addition of Kirk to the roster will provide strength in goal and help fill a void in the Wings defense. Kirk was a top rated net minder out of college and was drafted sixth overall in the 2011 NLL Entry draft by Minnesota after a stellar four year career at Hobart College.

Transition player, Hotaling will join the Wings in his fourth season from Colorado after previously spending two seasons in Boston. The 6’2 Syracuse native played in five games for the Mammoth in 2013, scoring a goal and scooping 23 loose balls. Hotaling was a member of the 2011 USA Indoor Team that took home Gold at the World Games in Prague.

Westervelt leaves the Wings after six seasons in Philadelphia. The 6’5” forward ranks sixth on the organization’s all-time scoring list and fifth in goals.

“Drew is a quality player and an even better person, and we will all miss him. However, we felt we needed to have more depth at the goaltending position and had to give quality to get quality,” said Wings newly named Head Coach Blane Harrison. “We wish Drew the best of luck on his new team and look forward to the seeing the new Wings competing at camp later this fall.”

In addition to the dealing of Westervelt, the Wings trade their 32nd pick in the 2013 draft to Colorado, while receiving the Mammoth’s first pick in 2015, as well as their 12th and 18th picks in the upcoming 2013 draft. Philadelphia also gives up their first pick in the 2017 draft to Minnesota.

The Philadelphia Wings will open the home portion of the 2014 season against the Buffalo Bandits at Wells Fargo Center on Sunday, January 12, 2014 at 4 p.m.

Call 215-389-WING (9464) or visit WingsLAX.com to order Season Tickets for the upcoming 2014 Philadelphia Wings Season.

The Philadelphia Wings are owned and operated by Philadelphia Wings L.P., whose principal owner is Michael French. Comcast-Spectacor serves as the marketing, promotional, advertising, sponsorship and publicity arm of the Wings.

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